Talented young performer Fayth Ifil is enjoying the limelight with a role in the exuberant West End musical, School of Rock.

Fayth, age ten, the daughter of former Swindon Town player Jerel Ifil, joined the cast as Tomika in February. The stage adaptation of the popular 2003 film starring Jack Black features music from the movie, as well as new music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and even a book by Julian ‘Downton Abbey’ Fellowes.

School of Rock, the story of a rogue supply teacher who soon has his straight-A pupils singing in a wild rock band, is running at the New London Theatre and Fayth, a student at the Pauline Quirke Academy and Everybody Sing, is making her family proud.

“I was nervous and excited when I first got on the stage,” she said. “But when the show carried on, I wasn’t nervous anymore.”

Fayth says she was just seven years old when she realised she wanted to work in musical theatre.

“Last year I did a show at school called Peter Pan and I was chosen to be Tinker Bell, I really enjoyed the show even though I wasn’t able to speak – I had a tiny singing part though,” she said.

Her life is very busy, mixing rehearsals and performances as well as continuing her school work.

“The work I had to do is practice every day except Sundays - Sundays are rest days,” she explained. “I did dancing, practised on singing by doing vocal exercises, going over lines and songs for the show, practising dance moves, positions I had to be in… it’s all a bit of a blur because we did loads.

“I get work from my school each day that my School of Rock tutors help me with. After a full day of school, we get ready for our show or rehearsals. I don’t find it hard doing school work and shows.

“I get to speak to my mum and dad on Facetime, I do miss them but we are quite busy so it’s not bad.”

Fayth has an impressive CV for someone so young – having done some modelling jobs, worked as an extra in the forthcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, played Annie at her stage school and appeared in a commercial for the cruise ship Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas. She was also an interviewer for BBC Bitesize.

Lorraine, Fayth’s mum, spotted an advert for the School of Rock auditions on Facebook and asked her daughter if she would like to give it a try.

“I didn’t hear anything else until my mum spoke to my agent in November, after my performance in Annie, and they put me forward for the auditions,” Fayth said.

“I was quite nervous when I was doing the auditions, I was thinking what would happen if my voice cracks in songs and ended up having four hot chocolates which made my throat soothe. I felt pleased that I got through the auditions and proud of myself when I got the part as Tomika,” she said. “I remember my mum screaming. I knew what she was screaming about without hearing the conversation. – it was so cool!”

“I would love to carry on as being an actress in theatre and film,” she declared. “And I would also love to be a singer. I’m focussed on that right now.”

Dad Jerel says it was his wife who spotted Fayth’s talent when she was three.

“Lorraine started her on ballet lessons and she has progressed from there,” he said. “Fayth saw her cousin sing at a talent show and was inspired so Lorraine added the singing lessons from age eight.”

Jerel paid tribute to his daughter’s hard work saying, “Fayth has an awesome memory when learning scripts and lyrics. In Annie she learnt nine songs and 100 plus lines in the space of four days, performing it on the fifth day.”

He and Lorraine were thrilled when they heard Fayth had got the part in School of Rock.

“I remember just feeling so proud,” he recalled. “Lorraine screamed when she received the call. We were on our way to my business Christmas dinner, so it made the night extra special. Before Fayth’s first performance, Lorraine couldn’t sleep as she was filled with nerves.

“We bought a DSLR camera from a shop near the theatre just so I could get some good photos and bought loads of gifts to give her before she went in at stage door to boost her confidence. When we saw her on stage singing her first solo it was unreal and we could not stop smiling for the whole performance, by the third solo my cheeks were cramping!

“After the performance we couldn’t wait to see her and give her a big hug to congratulate her. Proud is an understatement.”

Of course, Jerel himself has experienced the highs and lows of being a celebrity.

“Fayth is coping well and I must commend all those who look after her whilst at School of Rock. My biggest bits of advice to her is to work hard and be willing to learn no matter what level she is at, be someone that is positive to those around her and humble. No point being successful if you are not nice to be around and hold yourself with integrity.”

Jerel also has a son, Christian, who is older than Fayth. He is also proving to be a talent and is currently at the development squad at Gloucester rugby club, aiming to get a scholarship at 16 if he proves himself.

“They both get on well which is nice to see but they are siblings so have their days,” Jerel said. “He is so proud of her for what she is doing. “

School of Rock the Musical, hailed as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most exuberant show for years by The Guardian, continues at the New London Theatre, and is currently booking to 13 January 2019. For tickets, visit SchoolOfRockTheMusical.co.uk or call 0844 811 0052.

Any youngsters who fancy following in Fayth’s footsteps and joining the band can take part in further kids open auditions in London on 16 and 17 May for musicians and on 21 and 23 May for ensemble. Children need to be aged between eight and twelve years old and able to play a rock instrument or sing. Registration and further details can be found by contacting Jessica Ronane Casting at rock@jessicaronane.com or at schoolofrockthemusical.co.uk/auditions.